Filament container

ABSTRACT

A filament container for housing a spool of filament comprising a base and a lid that define an inner volume. The lid rotatably attached to the base and moveable between a closed position, wherein the inner volume is substantially sealed, and an open position, wherein the inner volume is accessible. First and second horizontal shafts are supported rotatably within the inner volume, parallel to and spaced from one another a distance, and rotatable about a respective longitudinal axis. The first and second horizontal shafts are adapted to support a spool of filament vertically within the inner volume and to allow the spool of filament to freely rotate about a horizontal axis that is parallel to and spaced from the longitudinal axis of each of the first and second horizontal shafts as filament is pulled from the spool and out of the filament container.

INTRODUCTION

The present disclosure relates to a filament container for use with anadditive manufacturing machine. Filament is typically supplied on aspool. The filament is pulled directly from the spool into an additivemanufacturing machine to be used in making various parts. Commonly usedmaterials in additive manufacturing machines include polymers andthermoplastics. In many instances, a spool of polymer or thermoplasticmaterial is placed into a container that is adapted to support the spoolin a manner that allows the filament to easily be pulled from the spoolinto the additive manufacturing machine.

Another important aspect of a container for a spool of filament is toprovide a controlled environment for the filament. To ensure highquality and accuracy in the finished part, it is important that thefilament is clean when it is fed into the additive manufacturingmachine. Additionally, the presence of moisture on the filament willnegatively impact the quality of the finished product.

Polymers and thermoplastics used in additive manufacturing arehygroscopic, which means that they absorb moisture from the air. Thepresence of moisture becomes a problem when “wet” filament is extruded.When the filament is heated, the excess water vaporizes and creates airbubbles and voids within the print, which weakens it structurally. Inaddition, “wet” filament can result in increased brittleness, diameteraugmentation, degradation, bubbling, and broken filament. As opposed to“wet” filament, filament that has been kept “dry” through proper storageresults in consistently higher quality prints and can even result inincreased accuracy.

Thus, while current filament delivery systems achieve their intendedpurpose, there is a need for a new and improved filament container thatengages with an additive manufacturing machine, provides a controllableenvironment for the spool of filament and supports varying sizes ofspools of filament in a manner that facilitates easy feeding of thefilament into the additive manufacturing machine and easyloading/unloading of spools of filament.

SUMMARY

According to several aspects of the present disclosure, a filamentcontainer adapted to house a spool of filament for an additivemanufacturing machine comprises a base and a lid, wherein the base andthe lid define an inner volume of the filament container. The lid isrotatably attached to the base, and is moveable between a closedposition, wherein the inner volume of the filament container issubstantially sealed, and an open position, wherein the inner volume ofthe filament container is accessible for insertion or removal of a spoolof filament. A first horizontal shaft and a second horizontal shaft aresupported rotatably within the inner volume of the filament container.The first and second horizontal shafts are parallel to and spaced fromone another a distance, and each of the first and second horizontalshafts is rotatable about a respective longitudinal axis. The first andsecond horizontal shafts are adapted to support a spool of filamentvertically within the inner volume and to allow the spool of filament tofreely rotate about a horizontal axis that is parallel to and spacedfrom the longitudinal axis of each of the first and second horizontalshafts as filament is pulled from the spool and out of the filamentcontainer.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, the first andsecond horizontal shafts are independently moveable within the innervolume and the distance between the first and second horizontal shaftsis selectively variable, wherein the filament container is adapted toselectively accommodate varying sizes of spools of filament.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, the filamentcontainer further includes a first bearing support rail and a secondbearing support rail mounted to the base within the inner volume, and apair of bearings mounted to each of the first and second horizontalshafts. One bearing is mounted to each opposing distal end of each ofthe first and second horizontal shafts. Each of the bearing supportrails includes a plurality of notches formed therein. The notches formedwithin the first bearing support rail are aligned with the notches ofthe second bearing support rail. The first and second bearing supportrails are spaced apart from one another such that aligned notches in thefirst and second bearing support rails support the bearings mounted ontothe distal ends of the first horizontal shaft and aligned notches in thefirst and second bearing support rails support the bearings mounted ontothe distal ends of the second horizontal shaft. The bearings are adaptedto allow the first and second horizontal shafts to freely rotate.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, the first andsecond horizontal shafts each include a channel formed therein, thechannels adapted to keep a spool of filament supported thereon centeredbetween the distal ends of the first and second horizontal shafts.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, the filamentcontainer further includes at least one bracket adapted to support anair conditioning device within the inner volume.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, the airconditioning device is one of an air heater, and air cooler, adehumidifier, and a humidifier.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, the airconditioning device is a packet of desiccant material adapted to removehumidity from the inner volume.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, the filamentcontainer further includes an inlet port adapted to allow conditionedair to be pumped into the inner volume of the filament container, and anoutlet port adapted to allow air to flow out of the inner volume.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, the inlet port isadapted to be connected to an external air conditioning unit that pumpsconditioned air into the inner volume through the inlet port.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, the inlet portand the outlet port each include a substantially airtight door that ismoveable between an open position and a closed position, wherein thedoor of the inlet port may be opened to allow airflow through the inletport, or closed to block airflow through the inlet port, and the door ofthe outlet port may be opened to allow airflow through the outlet port,or closed to block airflow through the outlet port.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, the inlet portand the outlet port are adapted to engage corresponding ports on anadditive manufacturing machine, wherein conditioned air may be pumpedinto the inner volume through the inlet port from an air conditionermounted within the additive manufacturing machine, and air from theinner volume is removed through the outlet port.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, the doors of theinlet port and the outlet port are attached to the filament container byspring loaded hinges, wherein the hinges are biased to maintain thedoors of the inlet port and the outlet port in the closed position.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, the filamentcontainer further includes a first projection, aligned with the inletport and extending outward, and a second projection, aligned with theoutlet port and extending outward, wherein the first and secondprojections are each adapted to push open a door of a corresponding portin an additive manufacturing machine when the filament container ismoved into engagement with the additive manufacturing machine.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, the filamentcontainer further includes a magnetic plate mounted to an exteriorsurface of the filament container, the magnetic plate adapted to engagea ferrous surface on an additive manufacturing machine, to hold thefilament container at a proper position relative to the additivemanufacturing machine.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, the strike plateis positioned between the inlet port and the outlet port.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, the filamentcontainer further includes an electronic communication device to allowinformation about a spool of filament placed within the filamentcontainer to be stored within the electronic communications device. Theelectronic communication device further adapted to communicate with anadditive manufacturing machine to allow the additive manufacturingmachine to receive information stored therein.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, the electroniccommunication device is a radio frequency tag with read/writecapability.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, the filamentcontainer further includes a plurality of casters mounted to a bottomsurface of the base.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, the filamentcontainer further includes a filament port formed within the lid andadapted to allow filament to be pulled from the filament container.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, the filamentcontainer further includes a seal extending between the lid and the baseto substantially seal the inner volume when the lid is in the closedposition.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, the lid furtherincludes a window to allow visual inspection of the inner volume, ahandle mounted onto an outer surface, and a latching mechanism to holdthe lid in the closed position, wherein the latch is adapted to allowthe lid to be selectively opened and closed.

Further areas of applicability will become apparent from the descriptionprovided herein. It should be understood that the description andspecific examples are intended for purposes of illustration only and arenot intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The drawings described herein are for illustration purposes only and arenot intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure in any way.

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a filament container of thepresent disclosure according to an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of the filament container shown inFIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the filament container shown in FIG. 1with a lid of the filament container removed;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the filament container shown in FIG. 1,taken along line 4-4;

FIG. 5 is a rear perspective view of a filament container of the presentdisclosure according to another exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the filament container shown in FIG. 5with a lid of the filament container removed;

FIG. 7 is a an enlarged view of a portion of FIG. 5; and

FIG. 8 is a sectional view of a horizontal shaft of the filamentcontainer.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following description is merely exemplary in nature and is notintended to limit the present disclosure, application, or uses.

Referring to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, a filament container 10 of the presentdisclosure is adapted to house a spool of filament for an additivemanufacturing machine. The filament container 10 comprises a base 12 anda lid 14. The base 12 includes a front panel 16, a top panel 18, a rearpanel 20, a bottom panel 22, and first and second side panels 24, 26.The lid includes a front panel 28, a top panel 30, and first and secondside panels 32, 34.

A plurality of casters 90 are mounted to a bottom surface 92 of thebottom panel 22 of the base 12. Depending on the size of the spool offilament and the type of filament on the spool, the weight of thefilament container 10 when loaded with a spool of filament may besubstantial. The casters 90 allow the filament container 10 to be easilymoved without lifting the filament container 10.

The base 12 and the lid 14 define an inner volume 36 of the filamentcontainer 10. The lid 14 is rotatably attached to the base 12. As shownin FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, the lid 14 is attached to the base 12 with twohinges 38. The hinges 38 hold the lid 14 securely on the base 12 andallow the lid 14 to be moveable between a closed position and an openposition. In the closed position, the inner volume 36 of the filamentcontainer 10 is substantially sealed. In the open position, the innervolume 36 of the filament container 10 is accessible for insertion orremoval of a spool of filament.

A filament port 94 is formed within the top panel 30 of the lid 14. Thefilament port 94 allows filament from a spool within the inner volume 36of the filament container 10 to be pulled from the filament container10, into an additive manufacturing machine. The lid 14 further includesa window 96 to allow visual inspection of the inner volume 36. A handle98 is mounted onto an outer surface 100 of the front panel 28 of the lid14. A latching mechanism 102 holds the lid 14 in the closed position,and is adapted to allow the lid 14 to be selectively opened and closed.

Referring to FIG. 3, the base 12 is shown without the lid 14 attachedthereto. Edges of the two side panels 24, 26, the top panel 18 and thefront panel 16 of the base 12 define an opening 40. A seal 104 extendsaround the opening 40, between the lid 14 and the base 12 tosubstantially seal the inner volume 36 when the lid 14 is in the closedposition.

The opening 40 allows a spool of filament to be placed within the innervolume 36 when the lid 14 is open. The filament container 10 is adaptedto support a cylindrical spool of filament within the inner volume 36. Afirst horizontal shaft 42 and a second horizontal shaft 44 are supportedrotatably within the inner volume 36 of the filament container 10. Thefirst and second horizontal shafts 42, 44 are adapted to support a spoolof filament vertically within the inner volume 36, as shown in phantomat 46 in FIG. 4.

The first and second horizontal shafts 42, 44 are parallel to oneanother and are spaced from one another a distance 48. Each of the firstand second horizontal shafts 42, 44 is rotatable about a respectivelongitudinal axis 50, 52. Each of the first and second horizontal shafts42, 44 includes a pair of bearings 54, one bearing 54 being mounted toeach opposing distal end.

A first bearing support rail 56 and a second bearing support rail 58 aremounted to the base 12 within the inner volume 36. The first bearingsupport rail 56 is mounted horizontally to an inner surface of the firstside panel 24 of the base 12 and the second bearing support rail 58 ismounted horizontally to an inner surface of the second side panel 26 ofthe base 12. The first bearing support rail 56 includes a plurality ofnotches 60 formed therein, and the second bearing support rail 58includes a plurality of notches 62 formed therein. The notches 60 formedwithin the first bearing support rail 56 are aligned with the notches 62of the second bearing support rail 58. The notches 60, 62 are adapted tosupport the bearings 54 mounted onto the distal ends of the first andsecond horizontal shafts 42, 44.

The first and second bearing support rails 56, 58 are spaced apart fromone another. The bearings 54 mounted onto the distal ends of the firsthorizontal shaft 42 are supported by a first pair of aligned notches 60,62 in the first and second bearing support rails 56, 58. The bearings 54mounted onto the distal ends of the second horizontal shaft 44 aresupported by a second pair of aligned notches 60, 62 in the first andsecond bearing support rails 56, 58.

The bearings 54 allow the first and second horizontal shafts 42, 44 tofreely rotate. When filament is pulled from the spool of filamentsupported within the filament container 10, the spool will rotate abouta horizontal center axis that is parallel to and spaced from thelongitudinal axis 50, 52 of each of the first and second horizontalshafts 42, 44 as the filament is un-coiled from the spool. As the spoolrotates, frictional contact between the spool and the first and secondhorizontal shafts 42, 44 will cause the first and second horizontalshafts 42, 44 to rotate along with the spool in a rotational directionopposite that of the spool, such that there is no sliding contactbetween the spool and the first and second horizontal shafts 42, 44.

The first and second bearing support rails 56, 58 each include aplurality of aligned notches 60, 62. The first and second horizontalshafts 42, 44 are moveable between different aligned pairs of notches60, 62. By moving the first and second horizontal shafts 42, 44 relativeto one another, the distance 48 between the first and second horizontalshafts 42, 44 can be selectively varied. The ability to change thedistance 48 between the first and second horizontal shafts 42, 44 allowsthe filament container 10 to adapt to spools of varying size.

Referring to FIG. 8, in one non-limiting exemplary embodiment, the firstand second horizontal shafts 42, 44 each include a channel 64 formedtherein. The channels 64 are adapted to keep a spool of filamentsupported thereon centered between the distal ends of the first andsecond horizontal shafts 42, 44. As shown in FIG. 8, a substantiallyU-shaped channel 64 is formed within the outer surface of the first andsecond horizontal shafts 42, 44. A U-shaped channel 64 extendscompletely around the circumference of each of the first and secondhorizontal shafts 42, 44, and longitudinally along the length of each ofthe first and second horizontal shafts 42, 44 between the bearings 54.The channel 64 includes edges 66 that provide a positive stop to keepthe spool from migrating toward either distal end of the first andsecond horizontal shafts 42, 44. This prevents the spool from cominginto contact with the bearings 54, or any surface within the innervolume 36, other than the first and second horizontal shafts 42, 44. Thefirst and second horizontal shafts 42, 44 rotate, thereby reducing thefrictional resistance to rotation of the spool within the filamentcontainer 10, as discussed previously. By keeping the spool centered onthe first and second horizontal shafts 42, 44 the spool is preventedfrom coming into contact with other surfaces that may interfere withrotation of the spool.

The filament container 10 further includes at least one bracket 68 thatis adapted to support an air conditioning device 70 within the innervolume. To maintain the integrity of the filament stored therein, theinner volume 36 of the filament container 10 may be conditioned tomaintain specific temperature or humidity conditions within the innervolume 36. By way of non-limiting examples, the air conditioning devicemay be one of an air heater, and air cooler, a dehumidifier, and ahumidifier. One common issue when dealing with polymer and thermoplasticfilaments is moisture content on and within the filament. The bracket 68of the filament container 10 of the present disclosure supports a packetof desiccant material 71 to control the level of humidity within theinner volume 36. By way of non-limiting example, the packet of desiccantmaterial 71, may contain silica gel or beads, to absorb moisture fromthe air and reduce the humidity within the inner volume 36.

The filament container 10 of the present disclosure further includes anelectronic communication device 106 to allow information about a spoolof filament placed within the filament container 10 to be stored withthe filament container 10. The electronic communication device 106 isadapted to communicate with an additive manufacturing machine to allowthe additive manufacturing machine to receive information storedtherein.

In an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the electroniccommunication device 106 is a radio frequency tag 108 with read/writecapability. When a spool of filament is loaded into the filamentcontainer 10, identifying information about the filament can be writtento the radio frequency tag 108. When the filament container 10 is placedinto engagement with an additive manufacturing machine, informationstored on the radio frequency tag 108 is read by the additivemanufacturing machine. This allows the additive manufacturing machine toverify that the correct type of filament is being used for the currentoperation. The radio frequency tag 108 is read/write capable, andtherefore, is re-usable. When the filament within the filament container10 is changed, new information can be over-written to the radiofrequency tag 108 to replace the existing information, insuring that theinformation sent to the additive manufacturing machine by from the radiofrequency tag 108 is accurate.

Referring to FIG. 5, FIG. 6 and FIG. 7, in an exemplary embodiment, thefilament container 110 includes an inlet port 72 adapted to allowconditioned air to be pumped into the inner volume 36 of the filamentcontainer 110, and an outlet port 74 adapted to allow air to flow out ofthe inner volume 36. The inlet port 72 is adapted to be connected to anexternal air conditioning unit that pumps conditioned air into the innervolume 36 through the inlet port 72.

The inlet port 72 and the outlet port 74 each include a substantiallyairtight door 76 that is moveable between an open position and a closedposition. Each door 76 is attached to the filament container 110 by aspring loaded hinge 78. The hinges 78 are biased to maintain the doors76 of the inlet port 72 and the outlet port 74 in the closed position.When the doors 76 are pushed inward with enough force to overcome thespring bias of the hinges 78, the doors 76 will pivot to the openposition. The door 76 of the inlet port 72 may be opened to allowairflow into the inner volume 36 through the inlet port 72, or closed toblock airflow through the inlet port 72. The door 76 of the outlet port74 may be opened to allow airflow out of the inner volume 36 through theoutlet port 74, or closed to block airflow through the outlet port 74.

The inlet port 72 and the outlet port 74 are adapted to engagecorresponding ports on an additive manufacturing machine. The additivemanufacturing machine may be equipped with an air conditioning device,wherein, when the filament container 10 is connected to the additivemanufacturing machine, conditioned air is pumped into the inner volume36 through the inlet port 72. Generally, as moisture within the innervolume is a major concern, warmed dry air is pumped into the innervolume to promote evaporation of moisture from the filament storedwithin the filament container 110. Simultaneously, air from within theinner volume 36 is allowed to exit the inner volume 36 through theoutlet port 74. As warmed dry air is pumped into the inner volume 36,higher humidity air is leaving the inner volume 36 through the outletport 74. The air exiting the inner volume 36 through the outlet port 74may be vented directly to the outside. Alternatively, the air ventedfrom the inner volume 36 may be captured by the air conditioning devicewithin the additive manufacturing machine to be analyzed. The humidityof the air being vented from the inner volume 36 may be measured todetermine the level of humidity within the filament container 10 andcontrol the air conditioning device within the additive manufacturingmachine.

The filament container 110 includes a first projection 80, aligned withthe inlet port 72 and extending outward. A first tab 82 extendslaterally from the rear panel 20 of the base 12 in front of the door 76of the inlet port 72. The first projection 80 extends from the first tab82 outward away from the rear panel 20 of the base 12. The filamentcontainer 110 includes a second projection 84, aligned with the outletport 74 and extending outward. A second tab 86 extends laterally fromthe rear panel 20 of the base 12 in front of the door 76 of the outletport 76. The second projection 84 extends from the second tab 86 outwardaway from the rear panel 20 of the base 12. The first and secondprojections 80, 84 are each adapted to push open a door of acorresponding port in an additive manufacturing machine when thefilament container 110 is moved into engagement with the additivemanufacturing machine. The additive manufacturing machine will beequipped with similar projections adapted to push against the doors 76of the inlet port 72 and the outlet port 74, overcoming the spring biasof the hinges 78 to open the doors 76 of the inlet port 72 and theoutlet port 74.

A magnetic plate 88 is mounted onto an exterior surface of the rearpanel 20 of the base 12 to hold the filament container 10, 110 inengagement with an additive manufacturing machine. The magnetic plate 88is adapted to contact a ferrous surface on an additive manufacturingmachine to hold the filament container 10, 110 at a proper positionrelative to the additive manufacturing machine. As shown, the magneticplate 88 is positioned between the inlet port 72 and the outlet port 74.Positioning the magnetic plate 88 in close proximity to the inlet port72 and the outlet port 74 helps to ensure a substantially sealedconnection between the inlet port 72 and the outlet port 74 andcorresponding ports on the additive manufacturing machine.

A filament container 10, 110 of the present disclosure offers severaladvantages. Spools of filament of varying sizes can be loaded andunloaded easily through a front/top opening due to the fact that thespool is supported on top of the first and second horizontal shafts 42,44. The spool is not supported on a central shaft, therefore, the spooldoes not require dis-assembly/re-assembly of a central shaft in order toremove or insert a spool of filament. Furthermore, the filamentcontainer 10, 110 of the present disclosure provides inlet and outletports 72, 74 that allow conditioned air to be circulated through theinner volume 36 of the filament container 10, 110 from an external airconditioning unit that may be integral to the additive manufacturingmachine.

The description of the present disclosure is merely exemplary in natureand variations that do not depart from the gist of the presentdisclosure are intended to be within the scope of the presentdisclosure. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure fromthe spirit and scope of the present disclosure.

1. A filament container adapted to house a spool of filament for anadditive manufacturing machine comprising: a base and a lid, wherein thebase and the lid define an inner volume of the filament container, thelid rotatably attached to the base, wherein the lid is moveable betweena closed position, wherein the inner volume of the filament container issubstantially sealed, and an open position, wherein the inner volume ofthe filament container is accessible for insertion or removal of thespool of filament; a first horizontal shaft and a second horizontalshaft supported rotatably within the inner volume of the filamentcontainer, the first and second horizontal shafts parallel to and spacedfrom one another a distance, and each of the first and second horizontalshafts rotatable about a respective longitudinal axis; wherein the firstand second horizontal shafts are adapted to support the spool offilament vertically within the inner volume and to allow the spool offilament to freely rotate about a horizontal axis that is parallel toand spaced from the longitudinal axis of each of the first and secondhorizontal shafts as filament is pulled from the spool and out of thefilament container, and the first and second horizontal shafts areindependently moveable within the inner volume and the distance betweenthe first and second horizontal shafts is selectively variable, whereinthe filament container is adapted to selectively accommodate varyingsizes of spools of filament; a first bearing support rail and a secondbearing support rail mounted to the base within the inner volume; and apair of bearings mounted to each of the first and second horizontalshafts, one bearing being mounted to each opposing distal end of each ofthe first and second horizontal shafts; and wherein each of the bearingsupport rails includes a plurality of notches formed therein, thenotches formed within the first bearing support rail being aligned withthe notches of the second bearing support rail, the first and secondbearing support rails being spaced apart from one another such thataligned notches in the first and second bearing support rails supportthe bearings mounted onto the distal ends of the first horizontal shaftand aligned notches in the first and second bearing support railssupport the bearings mounted onto the distal ends of the secondhorizontal shaft, the bearings adapted to allow the first and secondhorizontal shafts to freely rotate.
 2. (canceled)
 3. (canceled)
 4. Thefilament container of claim 1, wherein the first and second horizontalshafts each include a channel formed therein, the channels adapted tokeep the spool of filament supported thereon centered between the distalends of the first and second horizontal shafts.
 5. The filamentcontainer of claim 1, further including: at least one bracket adapted tosupport an air conditioning device within the inner volume.
 6. Thefilament container of claim 5, wherein the air conditioning device isone of an air heater, an air cooler, a dehumidifier, and a humidifier.7. The filament container of claim 5, wherein the air conditioningdevice is a packet of desiccant material adapted to remove humidity fromthe inner volume.
 8. The filament container of claim 1, furtherincluding an inlet port adapted to allow conditioned air to be pumpedinto the inner volume of the filament container, and an outlet portadapted to allow air to flow out of the inner volume.
 9. The filamentcontainer of claim 8, wherein the inlet port is adapted to be connectedto an external air conditioning unit that pumps conditioned air into theinner volume through the inlet port.
 10. The filament container of claim8, wherein the inlet port and the outlet port each include asubstantially airtight door that is moveable between an open positionand a closed position, wherein the door of the inlet port may be openedto allow airflow through the inlet port, or closed to block airflowthrough the inlet port, and the door of the outlet port may be opened toallow airflow through the outlet port, or closed to block airflowthrough the outlet port.
 11. The filament container of claim 10, whereinthe inlet port and the outlet port are adapted to engage correspondingports on an additive manufacturing machine, wherein conditioned air maybe pumped into the inner volume through the inlet port from an airconditioner mounted within the additive manufacturing machine, and airfrom the inner volume is removed through the outlet port.
 12. Thefilament container of claim 11, wherein the doors of the inlet port andthe outlet port are attached to the filament container by spring loadedhinges, wherein the hinges are biased to maintain the doors of the inletport and the outlet port in the closed position.
 13. The filamentcontainer of claim 12, further including a first projection, alignedwith the inlet port and extending outward, and a second projection,aligned with the outlet port and extending outward, wherein the firstand second projections are each adapted to push open a door of acorresponding port in an additive manufacturing machine when thefilament container is moved into engagement with the additivemanufacturing machine.
 14. The filament container of claim 1, furtherincluding a magnetic plate mounted to an exterior surface of thefilament container, the magnetic plate adapted to engage a ferroussurface on an additive manufacturing machine, to hold the filamentcontainer at a proper position relative to the additive manufacturingmachine.
 15. The filament container of claim 14, wherein the magneticplate is positioned between the inlet port and the outlet port.
 16. Thefilament container of claim 1, further including an electroniccommunication device to allow information about the spool of filamentplaced within the filament container to be stored within the electroniccommunications device, the electronic communication device furtheradapted to communicate with an additive manufacturing machine to allowthe additive manufacturing machine to receive information storedtherein.
 17. The filament container of claim 16, wherein the electroniccommunication device is a radio frequency tag with read/writecapability.
 18. The filament container of claim 1, further including aplurality of casters mounted to a bottom surface of the base.
 19. Thefilament container of claim 1, further including a filament port formedwithin the lid and adapted to allow filament to be pulled from thefilament container.
 20. The filament container of claim 1, furtherincluding a seal extending between the lid and the base to substantiallyseal the inner volume when the lid is in the closed position.
 21. Thefilament container of claim 1, wherein the lid further includes a windowto allow visual inspection of the inner volume, a handle mounted onto anouter surface, and a latching mechanism to hold the lid in the closedposition, wherein the latch is adapted to allow the lid to beselectively opened and closed.